RADBOT Will Save Your Rad BUTT

Portland Design Works is a relative newcomer to the world of bike accessories, though the staff there collectively have lots of experience in the bike world, much of it at Planet Bike. They've struck out on their own, though, and, to date... I haven't been blown away with their stuff. :-/

Sure, they offer all the requisite Portland bike scene things like trendy handlebar grips and a combo-axle-nut-wrench-tire-lever (and since fixie hipsters only drink PBR from a can, a bottle opener was omitted). The thing is, the bike world is awash in such products. In short, while I wished them well, PDW wasn't really doing anything that really captured my interest. Until now, that is....

That there is the RADBOT 1000. PDW's awesome new combination ONE WATT taillight with reflector. For the past couple years, Planet Bike's Superflash taillight has been the darling of the bike world. It's half-watt LED was a Great Leap Forward in brightness for the cycling masses, helping them be more visible to other road users. It was and is a good taillight, but time and technology march on.

Now, at almost the same price, PDW offers a light that is:

• Twice as bright - seriously, if drivers can't see this light, they should have their licenses revoked.
  
• Includes a rack-mount WITH the light - any bike with a cargo rack should run the taillight at the back of the rack.
  
• Includes a legit reflector - we are huge fans of running both and here's why.

Alternately, can get PDW's RADBOT 500, which is the same shape as the 1000 but with a half-watt LED. We're ALL ABOUT throwing a few extra dollars to get super-bright lights, though, so we stock the 1000s only.

My only gripes about the light are very minor:

• Including a fender mount would have been totally amazing (hint, hint, PDW folks).
  
• It would have been cool to see a rack adaptor that included a tab _to mount it to the rack_. Either your rack must supply such a tab (some do, some don't) or you need to fashion your own. If you go all DIY and make your own "adaptor adaptor", please make it mount to the rack with _two bolts_ so it doesn't swivel around. Bike mechanics/nerds will know what I mean when I say that Jandd got their design right and Blackburn got it wrong. That's why we carry the Jandd mount in stock for $4 which is way worth it, because it is light-mounting perfection in stainless steel form (again, hint, hint).

I am really excited that PDW has made such a radical departure from their product offerings with this light. I can't wait to see how other companies respond. For now, though, the RADBOT 1000 is king. In fact, we hereby declare the RADBOT 1000 is the best bike accessory for under $40, making it an ideal holiday gift (hint, hint ;-).

Posted via email from OlyBikes